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LifestyleSHARING
“Without a sense of universal responsibility, our very existence and survival becomes threatened.”
“Compassion is not helpless pity, but an awareness and determination that demands action.”
- His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Practicing yoga is more than taking a class and stretching your hamstrings, it’s the opportunity to stretch beyond the mat and take your yoga out into the world – the opportunity to live it. This is the yoga of service: of caring, and ofsharing. Every day we have the opportunity to practice the union of yoga – by demonstrating our love and compassion for all living beings that share our beautiful Mother Earth with us. Every day we have the opportunity to honor our Oneness – by being mindful of our thoughts, our words, and our actions. And, yes, YOU can make a difference…every day - with your choices, with your actions, with your dollars! So, the next time you need to buy a gift for someone, why not donate to a worthwhile cause in their name? Set the example. As Gandhi said so eloquently, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Show you CARE: Recycle - Reuse - Go Organic – Think Globally, Act Locally
As you scroll down, you will find ways to show you CARE and ways to SHARE – click, donate, purchase – as well as suggestions to consider today to make a difference… in no way all inclusive, but hopefully an inspiration, a starting point...
Things You Can Do Today: Use less water/energy ü Turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth (& when you’re shaving) ü Only run a very full dishwasher & full loads of laundry ü Take shorter showers (install low flow shower heads, too) ü Wash clothes in cold or warm water, not hot ü Plug air leaks in windows & doors to increase energy efficiency ü Adjust your thermostat: lower in winter, higher in summer
Use fewer paper goods – Buy reusable & recycled – avoid those that are whitened with chlorine! And, did you know that 20 billion catalogues are sent each year! That’s 63 for every man, woman & child! Find out how to stop them NOW – see below! ü Use fewer paper towels - replace with microfiber/reusable wipes ü Use fewer paper napkins – use cloth & wash with your linens ü Use both sides of paper – use for lists, scratch paper ü Choose recycled paper goods – toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates, greeting cards, gift wrap… ü REDUCE direct mailings/catalogues! 53 MILLION trees are used to produce all the catalogues that are sent to us – that’s the energy equivalent of 2 MILLION cars! Go to www.cataloguechoice.org. They will help you to reduce mailings for FREE !
Use less plastic – it can take 1,000 years for plastic to biodegrade!!! ü Bring your own bags to the market – cloth, plastic or paper ü Sturdy baggies can be rinsed & in the washing machine & reused ü If you drink water, stop using individual water bottles, buy a good water bottle for each family member & reuse (only 10% are recycled!)
Use eco-friendly products from conscientious companies ü Replace your cleaning products with eco friendly products & avoid volatile cleaning solvents ü Eco fashion is fashionable! Look for clothing & linens made from organic fibers – cotton, hemp, bamboo that are locally produced ü Replace your light bulbs with CFL’s (compact fluorescent lamps)
Recycleü If you live in a community that recycles, you have no excuse…if you don’t, demand it! ü Recycle electronics & cell phones ü Donate old clothes, toys, linens, etc.
Eat organic & hormone-free – every day more evidence is being revealed about the long term effects of insecticides and hormones, and additives. ü Eat organic & local grown when possible – Organics grown/processed without toxic pesticides & fertilizers, sold free of petroleum waxes & fungicides
************** There are so many worthwhile causes and resources…here are a few…choices...(if you would like to check out an organization's track record, you can do so by going to charitynavigator.org or give.org.) Click and help a worthy cause – donate, shop…be informed, make conscious, conscientious choices…
TheYCatalog.com great yoga clothing, props etc. from a variety of well known labels & 10% of every sale will support a worthwhile cause (gift certificates are available, too!)
Greatergoodnetwork.com includes many worthwhile sites; just click to help those in need; donate or shop to help fund worthy causes (many items are fair trade, too!) Care2.com "spread love & laughter while saving the world" - ecards, connections, links and much more! BetterWorld.com buy used books, help support local, national, worldwide literacy Organicconsumer.org "campaigning for health justice & sustainability" - be informed & take action for better products and legislation GreenPleasures.org travel via the world's largest search engines & all proceeds go to environmental preservation projects Greenliving.com products, materials & supplies to start taking your house green UNICEF.org help children of the world donate/shop SEVA.org gifts of service - bring healthcare, clean water, eye care and more to millions of children & adults Heifer.org provide domestic animals so people can be self-sufficient Directrelief.org provide worldwide medical assistance to those in need St.Jude.org helping children with cancer and their families Savetibet.com support the refugees, political prisoners and people of Tibet Tibetfund.org support the refugees, political prisoners and people of Tibet Habitat.org Habitat for Humanity komen.org Susan Komen breast cancer site Pink-store.com P.I.N.K. - 100% of profits go to Breast Cancer research - women helping other women around the world *** Treepeople.com plant and dedicate a tree with your contribution Americanforest.org every dollar you contribute plants a tree Treesforthefuture.org plant trees & forests in Africa, Asia & the Americas Greendimes.com STOP junk mail and plant trees Natureconservancy.com help preserve our natural habitats Environmentaldefense.org programs to fight global warming & preserve our natural habitat NRDC.org Natural Resources Defense Council - defending the earth's resources Earth911.org eco-news; find out what's happening in your state/community *** Humanesociety.org info on animal-related topics; describes HSUS programs & suggests ways to help animals Bestfriends.org largest animal sanctuary in the US Defenders.org Defenders of Wildlife Worldwildlifefund.org protects the world's wildlife Audobonsociety.com protects our native bird population JaneGoodall.org Jane Goodall travels 300 days a year crusading for wildlife research, education & conservation Roots-shoots@janegoodall.org Through Jane Goodall Institute, providing humanitarian & environmental education for youth Greenpowergirl.com environmental education program for elementary school age children *** Sundancechannel.com/thegreen Sundance channel has excellent "green" programming every Tuesday evening - check local program guide for details
Local to Santa Barbara: Angelsbearinggifts.com provides gifts and help for those with developmental disabilities & who have no one to remember them Asapcats.org helps provide humane care for cats in the Santa Barbara area - Sponsor a Cat Program Returntofreedom.org helps local non-profit horse sanctuary
If you have a website that you would like to be included, I will be updating this list quarterly. Please send your suggestion to lifestyleyoga@aol.com. And, thank YOU for helping to make the world a better place!
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